Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to congratulate him on his new appointment.
Cohen was appointed Foreign Minister Dec. 29, 2022, in the swearing-in of the 37th Government of the State of Israel, according to a release from Israel's government services and information website.
“Congratulated FM @elicoh1 on his appointment. Based on our strong commitment to Israel’s security and long-held values, together we can advance shared interests and confront mutual challenges. We strongly support a two-state solution and oppose anything endangering its viability,” Blinken said in a post on Twitter.
Blinken and Cohen discussed ongoing efforts to "advance mutual interests such as Israel’s further regional integration, including through the Negev Forum; address shared challenges, including the threat from Iran; and promote the values that have been at the heart of the bilateral relationship for decades," according to a State Department news release.
Cohen and Blinken spoke about expanding the Abraham Accords, establishing the Negev Forum, and expanding Israel's foreign relationships, according to a news release. The two also talked about Iranian threats, which is a threat Cohen said Israel is determined to fight.
In a speech to the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cohen said his work would promote Israel’s position in the world, establish diplomatic relations with other countries and strengthen international relations.
“There is no substitute for Israel-US relations. It is a long-term strategic partnership based first and foremost on common values as well as on common interests,” he said in his speech.
